The Palisade Insectary, part of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, marked the start of Colorado Agriculture Week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new growhouse on Mar. 23. The facility, which spans 880 square feet and includes upgrades to existing greenhouses, is expected to boost the production of biocontrol agents used by agricultural producers and land managers statewide.
Biocontrol agents—such as mites, midges, and wasps—are specially reared insects that target invasive plant and insect species. Non-native plants can degrade habitat for livestock and wildlife, crowd out native species, and make land unusable. The enhanced capacity at the Insectary aims to address these challenges by providing more resources for controlling noxious weeds.
“The completion of this new, state-of-the-art growhouse is a significant milestone that will allow the Insectary to rear even more biocontrol agents, bolstering our efforts to help the entire state of Colorado manage invasive plant and insect species that harm crops, rangeland, and urban greenspaces,” said Insectary Director Dan Bean.
The new structure features four separate grow rooms with vertical growing capability. Windowless design with LED lighting and precise temperature controls allows year-round cultivation of plants needed for breeding various biocontrol insects. The building has been dedicated to Brant Harrison—a local peach farmer known for converting his farm to organic practices in 1991—and who contributed significantly through roles on boards such as the Colorado Agricultural Commission from 2015-2023.
Since its founding in 1945 as a response to fruit moth infestations in peaches using Macrocentrus ancylivorus wasps (“Mac” wasp), the Palisade Insectary has developed over 90 biological control agents targeting both weed and insect pests. Currently it cultivates fourteen types through its Request-a-Bug program; this service provides Coloradans access to insects like field bindweed mites or those targeting puncturevine (goat heads), tamarisk or leafy spurge. Each year over four million insects are shipped across Colorado via more than four thousand releases.
The Insectary also participates in broader pest management initiatives such as the Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force. A pilot release involving Thanasimus dubius—a beetle’s biocontrol agent—is anticipated later this year.
According to the official website of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, key committees include bodies like the Colorado Agricultural Commission; annual events take place at venues such as the State Fairgrounds; more than three hundred professionals work within CDA divisions focusing on animal health or market development; publications cover topics from Weights and Measures Week to stewardship; programs aim at strengthening agriculture statewide by promoting food safety while fostering environmental stewardship.
